Vibration responsive control



Aug. 7, 1951 H. A. WILCOX ET AL VIBRATION RESPONSIVE CONTROL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 6, 1946 INVENTORS Harry A. Wilrox fiernard 1112110116 H. A. WILCOX EI'AL VIBRATION RESPONSIVE CONTROL Aug. 7, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 6, 1946 I INVENTORS Harry I]. MZCOX By Bernard J? Mid/wit (Same? Wdiw Aug. 7, 1951 H. A. WILCOX ETAL 2,562,975

VIBRATION RESPONSIVE CONTROL Filed Nov. s. 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS flurry fl. Mira/v By Bernard Jfl/rllar/ HTTORNEY Patented Aug. 7, i951 UNlTED STTES one VIBRATION RESPONSIVE CONTROL tion of Delaware Application November 6, 1946, Serial No. 708,202

19 Claims. 1 This invention relates to an improved apparatus for controlling the flow of electrical energy in response to the vibratory movement of an element of the apparatus.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus which will actuate an electric output' device when the apparatus is subjected to vibrations emanating from an external source. Such vibrations may be sonic or supersonic, transmitted through air, vibrations of a purely mechanical nature as might occur in the operation of a machine and mechanically transmitted to the apparatus; or combinations of such airborne and mechanical vibrations.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus which will afford means by which one may determine the duration of vibrations emanating from an external source.

It is another and more specific object of the invention to provide means such as a timing device which will begin its operation coincident with .the generation of vibrations received thereby and will cease operations when the vibrations have stopped.

It is an object of the invention to provide a registering apparatus such as a clock mechanism controlled to register an individual time interval or the aggregate elapsed time intervals during which either or both of the aforementioned categories of vibrations occur.

Another object of the invention is toprovide a registering and control apparatus in which the registering mechanism may be reset after the completion of a registering function, and having means whereby the register may not be tampered with or reset by an unauthorized person.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a control apparatus which will be responsive primarily to vibrations of a substantially predetermined minimum intensity and which may be adjusted primarily only by authorized persons to respond to a different minimum intensity.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a device embodying an electric clock which may optionally be used as a conventional clock or as a device for timing the duration of vibrations within a relatively broad frequency range and in which, therefore, the electric clock will operate only during the periods in which such vibrations occur.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a vibration responsive timing apparatus for obtaining the cumulative elapsed time of one or more periods of relatively sustained but not necessarily continuous vibrations, whereby the apparatus will not start timing upon the ocv currence of any individual noise or other relatively short isolated train of vibrations but once started the apparatus will not discontinue timing upon the occurrence of momentary silence or' relatively short intervals of absence of vibrations such as occur from time to time during singing, or making an oratorical address or playing a composition on a musical instrument.

Although as appears from the foregoing objects the invention has a rather wide field of application, a typical use would be for recording or indicating the playing time of a musical composition or the delivery time of an oration or other vocal delivery, whereby the apparatus would remain in operation only so long as the sound wave vibrations were being received by the vibration responsive element. For example, a music student may wish accurately to time his practice period. So long as he is actively engaged in practicing, the timing mechanism will be operating; during resting periods or other substantial intervals of silence, the timing mechanism will stop and will not recommence operation until its vibrationsensitive element again receives sonic vibrations.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter be described.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a typical circuit diagram illustrating one preferred embodiment of the vibration-responsive control;

Fig. 2 is a partial circuit diagram showing an alternative circuit arrangement for the part of the vibration-responsive control circuit of Fig. 1 to the right of tube 3|.

Fig. 3 illustrates a specific form of electrical output or work device, to wit, a relay to be energized or deenergized according to the presence or absence of vibrations;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of one embodiment of the invention, the rear cover plate being partially broken away to reveal underlying structure;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 4, certain elements being shown in section;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view, partly in section, showing the key for sensitivity adjustment of the apparatus for vibration intensity and for switching on and off the vibration responsive control;

Fig. 7 is a somewhat schematic elevation, showing operation of a protective feature preventing jamming of the timer reset locking means if the key is turned while the reset knob is depressed for resetting;

Fig. "7a. is an elevation similar to Fig. '7 but showing normal locking operation of the timer reset locking means.

responsive element is remote from the control apparatus;

Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 are alternative methods of mounting the vibration-responsive cone for use in timing sonic or other air-borne vibrations;

Fig. 11 is an embodiment of the invention useful in recording or indicating the duration of mechanically-transmitted vibrations; and

Fig. 12 is a somewhat schematic representation of an electric output device for operating a clutch by means of which a continually operating device, such as a clock, may be drivingly connected to a register which is to operate only during the periods of received vibrations;

According to one aspect, the present invention aims primarily to provide a control apparatus .by means of which the energization or deenergization of a circiut or circuits may be governed responsive to sound or mechanical vibrations transmitted through the air or other medium. In .a preferred embodiment, the circuits to be thus energized and deenergized may govern the op eration of a' self-starting synchronous electric clock or like timing device by means of which the duration of individual sequences of vibrations or the aggregate elapsed time intervals of such sequencesmay be timed.

Accordingly the apparatus'zil, Figs. 4 and 5. includes an electric clock C of any conventional type, the self starting synchronous motor M of which is to be energized during the time intervalsin which the vibration responsive means 2! receives vibrations from an external source.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10 for example said vibration responsive means or transducer 21 includes a crystal cartridge 22 suitably secured to the casing or framework of the apparatus. The crystal cartridge is advantageously of the. type conventionally used in phonographic play-hack equipment. As is commonly known, such cartridges embody piezo-electric crystals in which electric charges are generated when the crystals are subjected to mechanical strain, such as torsional strains. For response to airborne sonic vibrations there may be utilized a preferably conic diaphragm 23 or 23a (shown in section in Figs. 9 and 10 to the apex of which is attached an arm 24 which transmits the diaphragm vibrations to the crystal cartridge. The opposite end of the arm 24 is engaged by the usual needle chuck of such crystal cartridge all as schematically shown in the embodiment in Fig. 9. It isof course desirable that the conic diaphragm and arm be light in weight to reduce the inertia thereof. Paper, or thin aluminum sheet, is suitable for the diaphragm; and the arm 24 has satisfactorily been formed as an aluminum stampin so arranged as to be rigid in the direction of motion. It is understood that the diaphragm is disposed adjacent to suitable openings provided in the rearwall of the casing. Fig. 9 illustrates a diaphragm of embossed paper,

stifiened cloth,'aluminum foil or other material v of equivalent lightness and stiffness, suitably secured about its periphery to the rear wall of the casing to permit axial movement and supported at its apex on arm 24. In Fig. 10, the diaphragm 23a is free at its periphery and is supported only at its apex on arm 24.

In Fig. 11, the transducer 2| is arranged for response primarily to mechanical-as differentiated from air-borne-vi-brations, and in lieu of a cone, there is employed an inertia bar 231) which will transmit to the crystal cartridge 22 the vibrations experienced by the case as the latter rests upon a vibratin structure.

In the vibration responsive control circuit shown in Fig. 1, the suitably loaded output of the transducer 2| is connected to the signal grid of high gain pentode voltage amplifier tube 26 such as a conventional 12BA6 tube. Resistor 25 serves as the load for the output of the transducer 2 i. 1

Resistance 21 provided with a variable arm 21a serves both as the plate load of voltage amplifier 2t and as an. adjustable sensitivity control. Resistor 3G is the usual means employed to obtain the proper D. C. operating potential for the screen grid of tube 26 and is associated with capacitor 2% to reduce the degeneration effect of the screen grid circuit on the amplified audio voltage output of tube 26 across control resistance 21. Capacitor 28 serves as D. C. isolation and coupling between control resistance 21 and the paralleled plates 3 Id (shown as one plate) of the dual diode hi mu triode tube 3| with resistor 32 as the diode load resistance.

Ressitor 33 and capacitor 34, connected in the grid circuit of the triode section of tube 3|, make up a grid filter networlrand D. C. grid return thru resistors 33 and 32'to cathode of tube 3|. The triode section of tube 3| is operated as a grid controlled rectifier with resistor 36 as plate load and capacitor 3'! connected across 36 as 60 cycle filter.

. Tubes 33 and 4B in Fig. 1 are preferably power amplifier type tubes and may be of the 50B5 type, beam power amplifiers, operated with screen grids tied to the plates, for triode operation. Resistor 35 is the D. C. grid return path to cathode for tube 38. The cathode of tube 38 and the anode of tube stare-connected via lead 49 to the upper power lead 35. The anode of tube 38 and the cathode of tube i-U are connected together to one side of capacitor 4!, the other side of capacitor M being connected to the control grid of tube at, and to one side of clock motor M, the

other side of motor M being connected to the lower power lead 35. Capacitor 4| connected in the control gridcathode circuit of tube 40, Fig. 1, forms the self-biasing source for tube 45. With switch ii in lower'position 47b the vibration responsive control circuit is energized at the tube heaters via lead 4-8 and at rectifier 43 for rectification 'of the A. C. line voltage for D. C. voltage supply for the anode and screen of amplifier tube 26 as will be further described below. Thus tub-es 38 and is connected as in Fig. 1 in series with capacitor it, leads 42 and clock motor M provide a grid controlled power circuit for obtaining full wave operation of the clock motor M, which is preferably of the ordinary low power self-starting synchronous type, across power source 35, which may be volt 60 cycles for example.

Rectification of the line voltage is accomplished by means of a dry disc rectifier 43, the input side of which is connected to lead 43 and lower switch terminal 4Tb. A thermionic or gas cous rectifier suitably connected may be used in place of dry disc rectifier Z3. Capacitors M, 5 and resistor 46 provide conventional D. C. filtering to filter the plate supply for the amplifier tube. The heaters of all tubes are connected in series via lead (58 across the A. 0. line through switch 4'? at lower switch contact 471), the heater of tube 26 being connected at the end of the series heater string nearest the cathode of tube 26. This will serve to minimize the hum pickup of the cathode circuit of this tube from the heater circuit. A single pole double throw switch 41 is provided in the power circuit 35. This afiords the option of disconnecting the power circuit 35 from the vibration responsive circuit at All) when this circuit is not desired and connecting the clock motor M to the power circuit 35 at 51a to operate the clock continuously as a conventional time piece, thus providing alternative twofold use of the clock. The switch is advantageously combined in the same housing as resistor 2?, as

later explained.

With switch 4! in lower contact llb position shown in Fig. 1, power from source 35 is applied via contact Lilb to the tube heater circuit 38 and rectifier as, and since power is permanently connected from upper power lead 35 at the right hand pivoted end of switch arm 41 to the plate and screen of tube l9, cathode of tube 38 and through resistor 35 to plate 3|p of tube 3|, the vibration responsive control circuit is fully energized in this position of the switch.

In the nonoperating condition of the clock motor M when no vibrations are being applied to transducer 2| or when low intensity vibrations are received and sensitivity control 2'! is set for clock operation on high intensity vibrations only, the triode section of tube 3!, operating with substantially zero bias on its signal grid, rectifies the A. 0. line voltage and approximately 50 volts D. C. appears across load resistor 35 and filter capacitor 3i. Since resistor capacitor network 35 and 3'! is also in the grid circuit of the tube 38 the resulting 50 volt D. C.-negative at the grid and positive at the cathode of 38, will keep tube 38 in cutoff condition. With tube 38 in cut-off condition tube 36 will conduct through the clock motor, providing half-wave rectification of the A. C. line voltage to provide pulsating D. C., only to an extent necessary to quickly charge up series capacitor 5| to a negative bias voltage approximating cut-off bias for tube 453 since the signal grid of tube 46 is returned to the negatively charged side of capacitor 4|. The current required to keep capacitor 4| charged is negligible and is not suificient to operate the clock motor M.

Considering now the condition of vibrations being received of sufficient intensity to operate the vibration responsive circuit to cause operation of the clock motor, referring to Fig. 1, the vibration responsive control circuit is energized through switch ll-4Tb from power source 35 as previously mentioned. Vibrations picked up by the transducer 2i are translated into an alternating votage which is amplified by voltage amplifier tube 26. The amplified version of the transducer output voltage across the control resistance 27 is applied through the adjustable control arm, through capacitor 23 to the half wave signal rectifier circuit, resistor 32 and diode plate Sld, which dissipates the positive half of the alternating signal voltage. The resulting negative pulsating D. C. voltage from the signal voltage across load resistor 32 is applied as negative bias signal voltage through resistor 33 to grid lily of the tube 3|.

Capacitor 35 in conjunction with resistor 33 forms a filter network to smooth out the applied negative pulsating signal to a substantially steady D. C. bias voltage. Thus the amplitude of this D. C. negative bias voltage at the grid 3 g is higher with more intense vibrations than with lower intensity vibrations applied to the transducer 2 l Likewise the setting of the arm of sensitivity control 21 determines the amplitude of the signal voltage applied to the plate 3|d and resistor 32, resulting in a higher amplitude of bias at 3|g for a higher setting (by clockwise rotation) of arm of control resistance 2'! for a given intensity of vibrations picked up by transducer 2|.

It is noted then that this aforementioned negative D. C. signal bias on grid 3|g exists so long as vibrations of sufiicient amplitude are picked up by transducer 2| and this bias will vary in degree with the changes in amplitude of the sound vibrations. In the circuit of Fig. 1 a relatively small such bias is sufficient to substantially cut off current flow in triode section of tube 3 l thereby reducing the D. C. rectified voltage across 36 and 3'! to zero, unblocking anode-cathode circuit conduction in tube 38 by reducing its grid bias substantially to zero. Thus tube 38, as a result of the vibrations picked up by the transducer 2|, will conduct on one half of the A. C. line voltage through the clock motor, series capacitor 4| and lead 49 across line 35.

It is noted here that the aforementioned steady state charge in capacitor 4|, which has served as the self bias voltage of tube il in the condition of absence of vibrations, will now be cancelled or removed. by allowing this charge to pass 01f through motor M and tube 38 when the anode-cathode circuit of tube 38 becomes substantially conducting in the condition of receipt of vibrations. Tube All will then conduct on the second half of the line voltage cycle through clock motor M, capacitor Al and power switch ti, and since tube 38 will conduct on the first 7 half of the line voltage cycle the clock motor will receive substantially full wave A. C. line voltage.

Clock motor M, which is of the self-starting synchronous type, will operate as long as vibrations are picked up by transducer 2|. The clock motor M will start operating when the bias voltage across 35 and 3'! has been reduced approximately to 20% for example due to the vibrations being picked up, and it is a characteristic of such a motor that the motor, once started, will continue to operate a a synchronous motor until approximately of the bias is restored due to a reduction in the intensity of the vibrations. Thus moderate fluctuations in the intensity of vibrations picked up by the transducer will not cause error in timing of the duration of the vibrations.

It may be desirable to introduce a time lag in starting and stopping of the motor. Such time lag may be incorporated in the grid circuit of tube 3|. Increasing the resistance of resistor 32 or 33 or capacitance of capacitor 34 beyond the ordinary values appropriate for load and filtering action will increase the time which elapses between a vibration response of the transducer 2| and the starting of motor M and between the stopping of vibrations and the stopping of motor M. Such time lag has value in maintainin operation of the clock motor during momentary interruptions of vibrations such a occur ment or in recitation of an oratorical address.

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a relay coil 50 for connection to the control circuit at the leads 42 in lieu of the clock motor M wherever the apparatus is to be used to control the operation of other than clock or timing devices or where it is desired to have the clock operated through such a relay. If for example it is desired .to have the clock start and stop at more nearly the same vibration level than in the circuit of Fig.

'1, relay coil may be connected in series with lead 42 in place of clock M and clock M then connected across power leads in series with contact 5|-52 of relay 50. The relay armature 5| is illustrated as cooperating with the contact 52 to close an electrical circuit only during the stage of energization of relay 5!), which will, of course, occur only when the transducer 2i i receiving vibrations where relay 5B is connected to leads 42. Obviously a back contact 53 may be used alternatively to open a circuit where the specialized circuit conditions require.

If relay 5!) is of the sensitive type with sufiiciently low power requirement to be operated directly by the output of tube 3! the relay coil 51] may be connected in parallel with a capacitor 54, as shown in Fig. 2, between plate 31p and lead 49; and resistor capacitor 31, tubes 38 and 40, capacitor 4| of Fig. 1 may then be omitted as shown in Fig. 2. The back contact 53 of the relay Will then serve to control the clock M in this alternative form of the apparatus as indicated in 'Fig. 2, the clock being operated by deenergization of relay 5?] as the plate current of tube 3| is reduced by grid bias developed by vibrations received.

In this alternative form of the circuit in Fig. 2 a resistor 48a is included in the heater circuit 43 in place of the heaters of tubes 38 and of Fig. 1 to maintain proper heater voltage for the remaining tubes 26 and 3|. In this alternative arrangement relay 56 would be energized, in absence of vibrations, by the half cycle plate current of tube 3| and sustained by capacitor 54 in the remaining half cycle of the line voltage.

Examining the mechanical construction of the apparatus as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, it is seen that the electrical constituents may be conveniently grouped about the clock motor M by providing brackets or shelves on the rear or closure wall of the casing to support the tube sockets and the like. The resistors and capacitors (not shown in Figs. l or 5) may be arranged Within the easing about the microphone assembly.

As previously stated, the control resistor 21 and switch 47 may be combined in a common housing (see Figs. 5 and 6). Full counterclockwise rotation of control shaft 56 will place arm of switch 4'! in contact with terminal 410,, and will place arm 27a. at the lower end of resistor 2?. In this position 47a the switch 41 connects the clock M thru leads 42 directly to power circuit 35 for conventional clock operation.

Control resistor 21 is so connected in the circuit as to get the lowest signal voltage transfer to resistor 32 and tube 3| thru capacitor 28 with arms 21a in full down position. Clockwise rotation (commencing at the aforesaid conventional clock operating position) will first move the arm of switch 41 from position Ala. to position 41b, energizing the vibration responsive control circuit (see Fig; 1), whereby the clock will operate only during vibration periods. Continued clockwise rotation regulates the value of resistor 27 to determine the sensitivity of response to vibrations, the sensitivity increasing with clockwise rotation.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, afiixed to the shaft 56 of the resistor-switch combination 21, 41 there is a knurled disc 51 having a notch providing a cam surface 13 and also having a hole 58 to receive a finger Bil provided on a switch.

8 friction in rotation of disc 5'! against lug 12 of lever arm 1| so that the disc will remain where it is placed by rotation of key 6 l.

The inner end 63 of the switch key inserts into a socket in the end of shaft 56, to provide a pivot point for said key 6| for locating and engaging hole 53 in disc 5! with finger of arm (see Figs. 5 and 6) for rotation of the disc 51 by the key. The inner end of key 6|, including its finger arm tik'has been broken away in Fig. 5 to show the underlying lug 12 of lever arm 1|. Spring 19, which is shown in Fig. 4, has not been shown in Fig. 5 in order to permit the side details of the locking lever combination 6'|-'|| to be seen more clearly.

In full counterclockwise rotation of switch key 6| and disc 51 with switch 41 in position 41a, a

lug t4 affixed to the back plate of the case frictionally engages finger of arm '39 of key 6|, and eifectively secures the key against removal, see Figs. 4 and 6, without shifting the disc clockwise, thus providing a means of safekeeping for the key 6! when the apparatus is operated as a conventional continuously operating clock. Clockwise rotation of key 6| from the aforesaid conventional clock operating position, moves arm of switch 4? to energize control circuit as previously described thus permitting finger or arm 60 of key 5| to clear lug 64 enabling key 6| to disengage disc 51, see Fig. 5. Key 6| is removed thru slot 52 in back plate when it is desired to prevent further adjustment of sensitivity securing the resetting means against operation when the clock is connected to the vibration responsive control circuit. A resetting device is conventional and includes a knob 85 on a shaft 65. Normally the knob 35 is in the Fig. 5 :position, and in order to reset the clock it is necessary to push the knob inwardly and turn it. A lock-lever 61 is pivoted to the back plate of the case at 58. One end of said lever has a slot it suitable to embrace the shaft 36 when the lever is rotated clockwise about its pivot. Cooperating with the opposite end of the lever and pivoted on the pivot 68 is an arm I I havin an inwardly turned lug T2 for cooperation with a sloping cam 13 formed as a notch in the disc El. The respective members H and 6? are mechanically associated by means of a coil spring M the ends of which engage lugs respectively provided in the overlapping portions of, the arms 6". and H as most clearly appears in Fig. 7.

When the switch key is in the conventional continuous clock operating position shown in v Fig. 4, the cam notch registers with the finger 12, whereupon a spring '19 urges the lock-lever Bl counterclockwise to position its notch l0 remote from the knob 63, permitting reset of the clock. However, when the disc 5'? is turned clockwise from its Fig. i position, to its vibration responsive clock control position as shown in Fig. 7a, with knob 65 released the angular cam 13 causes a clockwise rotation of the lever 61, whereby the notch it embraces the setting shaft 56, positioning the end of the lever behind the knob 55,

making it impossible to push the knob inwardly device against damage if, after the setting knob 65 has been pushed inwardly so that its body is in the path of rotation of lever 61, the disc 51 is turned clockwise so that the cam surface l3 would urge the lever B! into clockwise rotation.

The spring 14 permits the arm ll to turn on the pivot 68 as shown in Fig. 7 without imposing any damaging strain on lever 67 or other parts of the apparatus. This permits the lever 61 to remove to its normal lockin position of Fig. 7a as soon as knob 65 is released to its normal outer position with disc 5'! remaining in its Figs. 7-7a position.

In the embodiment of Fig. 8 the apparatus is similar in all respects to that previously described except that the transducer unit 2| is remote from the case and serves the circuit by means of a flexible lead 76. The transducer unit may be mounted on any suitable support such as the strap 11, said strap being provided with a hook, or means such as the suction cup 18, for supporting the transducer unit on or in contact with the source of vibration.

Fig. 12 somewhat schematically shows a magnetically operated clutch pursuant to which a time registry mechanism 80 may be mechanically connected to a continuously operating clock mechanism 8| during periods when it is desired to register the duration of vibrations. A solenoid 82, the leads 42 of which are to be inserted in the electrical circuit as is shown for the leads 42 of the motor M in Fig. 1, has a plunger 83 connected with a pivoted bell crank lever 84. One member of a cone clutch 85 is aflixed to the shaft 86 of the register 80. A clutch sleeve 87 operatively associated with a fork 88 on bell crank 84 carries a cooperating clutch disc 90. When the solenoid 82 is energized, the bell crank 84 is rotated counterclockwise about its pivot to effect the mechanical engagement of the clutch elements and thereby to drive the register 80 from the clock 8|. When the vibrations cease, a declutching action occurs, thereby insuring that the register indicates only the time duration of the vibrations.

The range of frequencies of vibrations to which the apparatus responds to operate a timer or other work device is determined by selection of the type of microphone or other form of transducer and types of tubes 26 and 3| as well as value of resistance and capacitance of the several resistors and capacitors, and the apparatus may be thus arranged for operation in the sonic or audio range or in the sub-sonic or supersonic frequency ranges as desired and the sensitivity of the apparatus in picking up vibrations to operate the work device can be increased if desired by employing further amplification by means of one or more additional amplifier tubes and suitable coupling, all as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

It will be understood that the complete device will ordinarily be connected to the usual A. C. power supply through the commonly used two wire electric cord and plug, the latter being plugged into the familiar convenience power outlet so that the device can be disconnected entirely by removing the plug from the outlet, but where it is desired to have a permanently wired device an ordinary switch may be interposed in one or both of the leads 35 if desired for the purpose of connecting or disconnecting the device from the power supply. It will also be obvious to those skilled in the art that the connection from the upper contact 41a of switch 41 may be omitted in the circuit of Fig. 1 to provide an off position if optional conventional clock operation is not desired, or that an intermediate position for switch 41 may be provided between contact lla and 47b as an oif" position in the Fig. 1 circuit, so that the clock or timer as well as the vibration responsive control is disconnected and inactive with the switch in such off position if desired.

It will be appreciated that any ordinary selfsta rting electric timer of the indicating type may be used in place of electric clock M to indicate elapsed time in minutes or in hours and fractions of hours or other units of time as desired and that the elapsed time indicated may thus exceed the twelve hour total of the usual clock and extend for much longer periods if desired. The time indication may also be in the form of a register indicating a direct count of units of time as desired instead of in the form of the usual clock hands. Preferably all forms of time indication would be resettable by authorized persons as desired.

In one or more of its several forms as a vibration responsive timer the apparatus of the invention may serve to time shorthand transcribing of dictation in stenographic training and testing, particularly where the dictation is in intermittent sequences and it is desired to record the cumulative time of the actual dictation sequences. Also the apparatus may serve in the cumulative timing of sound or other vibrations arising from or indicating operation of industrial processes or equipment or laboratory equip ment for example especially where it is desired to avoid direct electrical connection or in some cases to avoid direct mechanical connection with such equipment,

An advantage of the circuit of Fig. 1 appears in certain applications of the apparatus in that the switching on and off of the timer by the vibration responsive circuit is accomplished electronically and therefore silently and without any making or breaking of electrical contacts. Thus for example the apparatus, once having been connected for vibration responsive operation, may be employed for silent timing of vibrations from equipment or industrial processes involving the presence of inflammable gases or explosive atmospheres or where any appreciable sound from operation of any ordinary relay in the vibration responsive apparatus might interfere with the equipment or processes being tested.

The following representative values for resistance and capacitance have been found suitable for one practical embodiment of the invention along the lines of the circuit of Fig. 1, for response to sonic vibrations, employing the electronic tubes previously described and a conic paper diaphragm and a sensitive phonograph type piezoelectric crystal cartridge with a rated output of 3 volts on 1000 C. P. S. as a phonograph pickup.

Resistor 25 may be of 10 megohms, capacitor 29 of 0.2 microfarad, and resistor 39 of 1 megohm. Adjustable resistor 21 may have a total resistance of 300,000 ohms and capacitor 28 may be of .01 microfarad. Resistor 32 may be of 8 megohrns and resistor 33 of 2 megohms. Capacitor 34 may be of .05 microfarad. Resistor 35 may be of 200,000 ohms and capacitor 31 of .05 microfarad. Capacitors 4| and 45 may each be of 12 microfarads and capacitor 44 of 0.2 microfarad. Resistor 46 may be of 100,000 ohms.

Although the invention has been described by 11 making a fully detailed reference to the certain presently preferred embodiments, such detail or description is to be understood in an instructiverather than a limiting sense, many changes in addition to those described being possible within the scope of the claims hereto appended.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for indicating the duration of a vibrating condition, comprising a transducer responsive to mechanical vibrations impinging thereon to generate an electric current; means for amplifying said generated current; an electrically driven timing device; an alternating current power source for said timing device; a pair of mutually interconnected thermionic tubes connected into said power source to provide a grid-controlled electrical full-wave power circuit to operate said timing device; and an electrical circuit between said amplifier and said thermionic tubes to control the grid-bias values of said tubes to operate said timing device in response to such current and as long as such current is so generated by such vibrations.

2. Apparatus for indicating the duration of a vibratory condition, comprising a transducer responsive to mechanical vibrations impinging thereon to generate an electric current; a timing device including a synchronous motor; an alternating current power source for said motor; a pair of mutually interconnected grid controlled thermionic tubes each operable to transmit one half of the alternating current wave and collectively operating under grid control to transmit full wave power to said motor; and an electric circuit from said transducer to said thermionic tubes to bias the grids thereof to pass full-wave current only upon generation of a predetermined voltage output from said transducer.

3. Timing apparatus responsive to vibrations from an external source, comprising a transducer for converting vibrations impinging thereon into electrical energy; means for amplifying and rectifying said energy; an electric timing device operable only by full-wave alternating current; an alternating current power source for said device; and control means in said power source, comprising a pair of grid-controlled thermionic tubes each operable to transmit one half wave current and collectively operating to transmit full wave current to said timing device; 'an electric circuit means connecting said amplifier and rectifiying means to one of said tubes for biasing said tube substantially to cut-off condition in absence of substantial amplified and rectified electrical energy; a capacitor connected to have a substantially predetermined state of charge maintained by the second of said tubes during, the cut-off condition of the first tube to bias said second tube substantially to cut-off condition; and means responsive to substantial such amplified and rectified electrical energy generated by said transducer for reducing the bias voltage at the first of said tubes to bring the tube to operating condition to conduct on one half of the alternating voltage cycle; and circuit means interconnecting the plate of said tube with said capacitor to change from such predetermined state the charge of said capacitor to reduce the bias imposed thereby on the second of said tubes to cause said second tube to conduct on the other half of said cycle.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which said timing device includes a self-starting, synchronous motor.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which said timing device includes a solenoid-actuated mechanical clutch.

6. In combination with an electric clock of the self-starting, synchronous motor type, a transducer operable to convert mechanical vibrations impinging thereon into electrical energy; a source of alternating current voltage for said motor; thermionic switch means in said current source for transmitting full-wave cur "ent to said motor only when vibrations are impinging upon said transducer; manually operable switch means for disconnecting said motor from said thermionic switch means and connecting said motor to said power source for continuous operation of said clock motor; means for manually setting said clock; and locking means rendering said setting means inoperable during the operation of said motor under control of said thermionic switching means.

'7. In combination with an electric clock of the self-starting, synchronous motor type, a transducer operable to convert mechanical vibrations impinging thereon into electrical energy; a source of alternating current voltage for said motor; thermionic switch means in said current source for transmitting full-wave current to said motor only when vibrations are impinging upon said transducer; manually operable switch means for disconnecting said motor from said thermionic switch means and connecting said motor to said power source for continuous operation of said clock motor; means for manually setting said clock; and a lever mechanically movable by said manually operated switch for rendering said setting means inoperable during the operation of said motor under control of said thermionic switching means.

8; A vibration controlled timing apparatus including in combination, an indicating electric timer, a transducer for translating vibrations into electrical energy variations, an electronic circuit including means responsive to such variations and connected between said transducer and said timer to operate said timer responsive to such variations resulting from vibrations translated by said transducer and to stop said timer responsive to termination of such variations upon termination of such vibrations, and means forming a part of said apparatus to provide a time lag between translation of such vibrations and such operation of said timer responsive thereto whereby said timer will be started responsive only to relatively sustained vibrations and will be stopped after an appreciable period of absence-or" vibrations, but will continue to operate through momentary interruptions of vibrations.

9. The combination of a timing device including a synchronous motor, means including a pair of mutually interconnected thermionic tubes each operable to transmit one half of an alternating current wave and collectively operable for connection to an alternating current power source under grid control to transmit full wave power to said motor, and a grid control circuit for switching said tubes to and from a substantially conducting basis for such power transmission to such motor to start and stop said timing device.

10. Timing apparatus including an electric timing device operable only by full wave alternating current, a pair of thermionic tubes each operable to transmit one half of an alternating current wave and collectively operating under grid control to transmit full wave current to said timing device, an electric circuit connected to once]? said tubes for normally biasingsaid tube substantially 

